Category: Supermarket Gates

How Retail Gates Can Help Stop Thieves in Their Tracks

Theft is a key concern for retail businesses around the world. Figures from the Global Retail Theft Barometer, published by Inside Retail, reveal that shoplifting and employee theft are the biggest causes of retail shrinkage, which costs Australian retailers nearly $3 billion every year.

Let’s take a look at some trends in retail theft, and how retail security gates can help supermarkets and other retail stores to deter thieves.

Risk factors and trends in retail theft

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) states there are a number of risk factors and trends in retail theft. These include:

Store floorplans with numerous exits and easy-access change rooms can give sticky-fingered shoppers the chance to conceal goods and slip out undetected.

Stores without security guards or gates have an increased theft risk.

Teenagers make up a huge chunk of the shoplifting population.

Catching shoplifters is difficult and rarely happens.

Background checks and well-communicated anti-theft policies can be useful in cutting down on employee theft.

The role retail security gates can play in deterring theft

According to the AIC, research shows that access control is one of the most effective measures, alongside employee education, for reducing theft within a retail setting. Interestingly, the combined research studies note the impact of standalone CCTV as unclear and suggests it is most effective when implemented as part of a larger multi-faceted approach, while access control showed marked effectiveness on six out of seven occasions.

How Rotech can help

At Rotech, we specialise in access control solutions. Our Bulwark HB automatic supermarket gate is a functional and reliable access solution for all retail environments, including:

Supermarkets

Pharmacies

Liquor stores

Automotive and discount stores

Gymnasiums and sporting venues

The Bulwark is safe, fast and secure, featuring electronic sensing monitors, adjustable microwave radar that allows for fast opening as soon as a person is detected, anti-tampering mechanisms that sound an alert if someone tries to force the gate and can be reset without expert knowledge, and a durable 6mm thick steel housing.

The chrome finish looks polished and attractive, and suits all retail settings. You can even add matching barrier rails and posts to guide customers beyond the pay point. Set up couldn’t be simpler. Operating optimisation and testing occurs in our workshop, allowing for an economical installation at your premises.

When it comes to retail theft, the old adage about prevention being better than cure rings true. When shoplifters or thieves aren’t caught, goods aren’t recovered. Restricting access with an automatic gate makes it harder for a thief to abscond – so much harder they might even reconsider pilfering the product in the first place.

The Bulwark HB automatic supermarket entrance gate is one of many solutions in Rotech’s range of retail security gates. Talk to us about how we can help you reduce the risk of theft in your retail business.

Trends in Controlling Pedestrian Movement

Whether a stadium, entertainment venue or large commercial business, if your premises plays host to large numbers of people, then the control of pedestrian movement is essential.

Safety is the number one concern. Regulating the movements of customers, clients, visitors, and external contractors is an important risk mitigation strategy for any business. Second to that is security, including protection against theft of goods.

The options for controlling pedestrian movement have evolved with the need for increased safety and security and faster more efficient operation. Manual gates are still valuable in the right circumstances, but automated options – including turnstiles, pedestrian barriers, flap barriers, and rapid access gates – have raised the bar.

Let’s look at some of the latest products available to manage pedestrian movement.

Turnstiles

These can range from full height security turnstiles, for situations where access to sensitive areas needs close monitoring, to waist height turnstiles – an excellent access limitation measure to enable basic clearance checks.

These are great for areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as sporting venues and office buildings. Some models even include memory storage, which remembers the number of swipe cards presented and keeps the turnstile unlocked until the last person to swipe their card has passed.

Flap barriers

Flap pedestrian barriers offer a modern sophisticated look and are an ideal security measure for entry points into businesses requiring an additional level of screening.

They are fast and suited to high-volume foot traffic areas. They also prevent pedestrian ‘tailgating’ and entry from the incorrect direction; an added security feature not provided by swing gates and waist-high turnstiles.

Drop Arm rapid access gates

Drop arm access gates have two major advantages over turnstiles and flap barriers.

Sleek cabinet designs fit into areas where normal turnstiles would not and the wider passageway allows access for wheelchairs and contractors with bulky work equipment.

Automatic and manual pedestrian gates

These security solutions are perfect to prevent shoplifting from supermarkets, pharmacies, liquor stores and other retailers.

Radars or beams detect movement and open the gate as customers enter the shop. When combined with barrier rails they guide the customer past the checkout and prevent customers exiting through the entrance without paying.

Manual gates are also a great low-cost choice for closing checkouts and restricting access to areas with lower foot traffic.

There are many great options available to control pedestrian movement and add a layer of security to your commercial or industrial premises. Contact us for a discussion of your business’s requirements.

4 Simple Steps to Maintaining Turnstiles and Pedestrian Barriers

Is there a need to maintain turnstiles and other pedestrian access equipment?

As they are built to withstand prolonged and multiple use, turnstiles and pedestrian barriers such as flap gates, drop arm barriers and supermarket gates require very little maintenance once installed. However, like any equipment, it is a good idea to check them over once in a while. These machines are your investments after all, and to make the most of your investments you need to take care of them and make sure that they continue to function properly and last a long time.

There are only a few simple steps you need to follow in order to maintain the quality and performance of your pedestrian access control solutions:

1. Clean them regularly. In retail areas pedestrian access control equipment is made to look visually pleasing. To keep them looking as good as when you brought them it is important to clean them regularly. Surfaces should be cleaned with a soft cloth and, where applicable, a good stainless steel cleaning product. Avoid using harsh cleaners as these may only damage or leave marks on any mirror finish.

2. Check for dents, scratchesand marks. Abuse of any pedestrian access equipment is the most common reason that the device may need repair or replacement. Closely monitor your equipment and check for parts that are damaged. For full height turnstiles, check for slight bending or leaning of arms; this may signify loose rotor brackets that must be attended to before they get worse. Flaps on flap barriers and arms on supermarket gates should also be checked to ensure they have not been manually forced in any way. This might cause misalignment preventing them from opening or closing correctly.

3. Preventative maintenance. Full height and waist height turnstiles are fully sealed with an IP65 protection. However the drop arm and flap barriers do need to be cleaned when necessary of general grime and insect infestations to keep them in optimal working order.

4. Lubricate once a year. Use a synthetic grease to lubricate the moving parts of your machine at least once a year.

With these simple steps, you can greatly improve the longevity and durability of your turnstiles and other pedestrian barriers.

For high quality turnstiles, flap barriers, supermarket gates and gate openers, contact Rotech. We supply a superior range of pedestrian access control solutions, as well as vehicle access control solutions for a variety of applications. Get in touch with us today.

5 Reasons Why To Use Automated Gates

Business sites, just like the businesses themselves, are highly valuable investments and they need to be well protected from potential threats. For this reason, pedestrian access solutions are popularly used in commercial and industrial settings. Nowadays automatic boom gates, turnstiles and many other access solutions are widely used in shopping centres, hospitals, banks, car parks, transit stations, and other types of commercial establishments.

There are a number of reasons why these types of access control systems must be installed in buildings or any major business site. Owners of commercial and industrial establishments should deliberate on this matter to protect their investment. Here are some reasons why automated access solutions would be necessary.

Safety and Security – These are two primary concerns in commercial and industrial buildings. In most cases, these establishments have several areas that need to be secured. One security measure that can be taken is to install turnstiles at the entrance and other significant places. These gates can only be opened by those who are allowed entry, using access cards, wristbands or tags. This reduces the risk of unauthorised entry to the premises.

Controlled Access – Other than security from trespassers, automated gates also help to control the accessibility of specific areas within the business site. With automatic gates installed outside a certain area, access can be limited to particular members of the staff. This ensures that employees only enter the areas they are required to work in.

Convenience – With modern technology used in these access solutions, getting in and out of the building is made easier and more convenient. Some types of gates can let through an average of 25 people per minute. There are also some designs that allow easy access for wheelchairs.

Reduced Staffing –Since these gates are automated, they eliminate the need for an employee to be constantly present at the gate to control its operation. Authorised individuals can simply use their access cards to enter. This can help reduce the number of employees and save money.

Cost-Effective Option – Gate openers are typically operated by a power source like electricity. But owing to the advents of new technology, now there are more cost-effective solutions available to reduce power consumption, thereby reducing the company’s expenses. Modern design changes include solar panels that absorb and store energy from sunlight. These solar panels can operate a solar gate opener without using much electrical power. Solar-powered units can operate for a day or two in the event that the main power fails.

When it comes to automated access solutions, Rotech is a name that one can rely on. We have been providing automatic gates and access solutions to many commercial and industrial companies. Our solutions can be customised to meet your needs and operational requirements. Contact us now and our friendly staff can walk you through our range of products.